JAMES MITHEN, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Council Bluffs, died very suddenly yesterday at his home, corner of Washington Avenue and Seventh Street, of apoplexy, aged 70 years.

The deceased was born April 16, 1827 in Wexford County, Ireland, and came to this country when a very young man, settling in Illinois, where he resided till his removal to Council Bluffs in 1853. Mr. Mithen, although of a very retiring nature, was well known by most of the citizens of this city and his death will be greatly regretted, particularly by the older residents, with whom he was more intimately associated during his long residence here. By his industry and economy he became possessed of quite large property interests and the later years of his life have not been actively engaged in business. His entire life was one of earnest devotion to the strictest principles of integrity and he was universally respected as a man of absolute honesty and honor.

In religion he was a sincere and devout Catholic and his benevolence was a great aid in the up building of the Catholic Church property in this city. To him, perhaps more than to any other, is due the credit for securing for the Sisters of Mercy the beautiful property used for St. Bernard’s Hospital.

He was married in this city thirty years ago and his wife and two sons, John J. Mithen, engaged in the practice of law in Omaha, and Luke Mithen, a practicing attorney in Chicago, survive him. Funeral announcements will appear later. (No stone)

The funeral of the late James Mithen was very largely attended yesterday morning at St. Francis Xavier’s Church. The floral tributes were many and beautiful, the casket being covered by them. The following old settlers and acquaintances acted as pall bearers: James Wickham, Martin Hughes, M.H. Tinley, J.M. Galvin, Sr., and John Mulqueen, Sr. The remains were laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery.